Journey of a refugee through the LuQuLuQu ‘Step for Safety Walk’

In Africa’s population, 24 million of the people are comprised of people who have fled their homes due to conflict or Persecution. These people, generally termed as refugees go through had walks of life just to survive. They are resilient at the hardships in order to see another day. UNHCR, a UN agency formed a campaigned dubbed LuQuLuQu. LuQuLuQu campaign is a social initiative that aims in educating the public about the resilience of the refugees, encourage their empowerment and inclusion in the society.

On the 23rd day of September , 2018, UNHCR through their project LuQuLuQu, organised a walk to educate the public about the refugee journey. The walk’s intent was the public to interact with the forcibly displaced persons to show solidarity and support. Among the walk’s participants were refugees from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and 11 other affected countries.

The refugees and forcibly displaced persons got a chance to interact with Kenyans from all walks of life. The general public, celebrities, government, UNHCR partners, members of the diplomatic corps were among those who showed up to support the LuQuLuQu initiative.

After the walk, supporters also had an opportunity to walk the steps of a person forced to flee in an experiential simulation of a UNHCR reception centre, refugee registration process, distribution on non-food items and refugee shelter, all designed to build first-hand knowledge of the refugee experience.

“I have witnessed first-hand the resilience of refugees, and the generosity of African communities who’ve received families forced to flee as their brothers and sisters, often for decades,” said Raouf Mazou, UNHCR Kenyan Representative. “The ‘Step for Safety’ walk is another way Kenyans will show solidarity with refugees who take long, difficult steps to secure their safety every day while supporting the empowerment of refugees themselves. This is the spirit of the LuQuLuQu initiative.”

The ‘Step for Safety’ walk turned out to be a great motivation to the public to support their brothers and sisters in need.